There is a statement by antique and collectible dealers that there are three important things to look for in an item: Condition, Condition, Condition; therefore, the goal of all collectors is to acquire an item in the best possible condition.
Since the terminology of Moneycards is still being evolved, I thought that a look at its present state of development would help remove up some confusion. The confusion exists because a recognized system for grading the condition of cards has not yet been eveloped and accepted among the collecting community, i.e., sellers and buyers.
Let us look at where we are in this evolving process. There are three areas that need to be examined:
Mint -- Unused. The card is in the same condition as when it was manufactured or first sold.
Used -- The card was used for its intended purpose. Phone time, monetary value, or services are partially or totally consumed.
Condition -- The physical condition of a Moneycard. This term applies to both mint and used cards. Condition usually has a graduated, standardized system associated with it. The system goes from barely identifiable to the best most pristine example. The intent is to provide a method where by collectors can rate their cards according to the scale. Other collectors on hearing the term can be reasonably assured that they know the defects and/or wear associated with the card.
Unloaded -- The card has no value on it or was issued without value. Some definitions say the value was removed thus making the card used.
Stripped -- The value was placed on the card and at some time ( usually before release by the issuing authority ) the value was removed. By definition the card is still used.
Preloaded -- A reloadable or rechargeable card the has an initial value. The initial value is usually printed on the card. Many phonecards and cash cards fall into this category.
You will note that at the present time there is no universal term for the value or service loaded onto the card. Some of these values could be phone time, cash value, transportation value, loyalty points, etc. Note that value does not always decrease but may increase on recharged and reloaded cards or cards tracking loyalty points..
Mint Cards - The term mint arises from coin collecting. The place where the coins were made or stored came to be called a Mint. The term Mint also evolved to mean the manufacture of coins.
When postage stamp collecting came into being the term mint, meaning as manufactured, was borrowed by the Stamp Collecting community to describe a stamp that had not been used. This term, with a similar meaning, has carried over into other collecting areas; for example, post cards, paper collectibles, dolls, sports cards, die cast cars, etc. Interestingly the term mint is not used as a descriptive term in paper money or coin collecting. Uncirculated is the corresponding term being used in these hobbies.
Mint, as a descriptive term, is still ambiguous. Think about a mint stamp -- you know what that is right? Upon further thought, it might occur to you that the stamp did not leave the US Printing Office as a single item but as part of a sheet. The stamp was then removed from the sheet and sold as mint. The term "mint" tells us something about the condition of the stamp, but not much, as the stamp could have torn perforations, be printed off center or have other defects of interest to a collector. The thing that mint does tell us is that it is still good for postage purposes.
Collectors in other hobbies usually qualify the term mint with additional statements to provide further information. For example "mint in box" (MIB) is a term used by the doll collecting hobby.
In Moneycard collecting there seems to be two new terms evolving. "Mint IN original packaging" and "Mint WITH original packaging." The first term, "Mint IN original packaging," is used to buyer of an unexpired card that the value remains unused. The second term, "Mint WITH original packaging," addresses the need of those collectors that like to have the presentation folders and other ephemera associated with a card. Neither term provides further information as to condition. You might at first think that "Mint IN original packaging" gives you a better card than one that has been removed from the package. This is not the case. For example the Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck cards by Fabulous Fonecards, FAB 2 and FAB 3, were sold in a neat plastic holder. Unfortunately the holder is PVC and bonds to the card. In time these cards will be junk if not removed from their holders. Another example is the windows on some card envelopes and the adhesives used to hold them in place within their containers. In time these materials will probably degrade the card with a resulting loss in value. I have found many a new card I was glad I removed from the packaging. I do keep all interesting packaging stored and identified in another area.
Before we proceed to examine used cards it is necessary to discuss the expiration date. Expiration dates are placed on US cards because the value on the card represents a liability against the company issuing the card. Accountants do not want to see this dollar value, as a liability, goes on forever, hence the expiration date. Liability in terms of cash or services ends after the expiration date passes. For US money and Postage Stamps the value continues until the coin is lost or the stamp is used. Even Silver and Gold Certificates, although not redeemable in precious metal after the laws were changed, could still be used for purchases. It is most important to remember that the value added to the card in terms of cash or services vanishes with the expiration date.
Used Cards -- The card was used for the purpose intended. The question is how do we determine a used card. If the card had a scratch off and it was removed, it is an indication that the card was used, certainly it is not a mint card. The only way to tell if it is used is to somehow "read" the card. With optical phone cards we can look for the lines on the strip that indicate use. With magnetic cards we can look for use indicators or holes. With remote memory cards and chip cards this is not as easily accomplished. You can call the access number and check the balance or insert a chip card into a reader or telephone to check the balance. A used and new card may look the same and be of the same condition. Many collectors use the time on cards that have exposed pins by writing down the numbers. Remember one of the principal reasons for packaging is to prevent this from occurring, Likewise a card can be subjected to abuse and still retain its full value. The term used has to do with value and not with condition.
The question then arises: There are two identical cards, one that is mint and one that is used. If both cards are of the same condition, which is the more valuable card? If the cards have not expired it would seem that the mint card is more valuable to a collector because he may be able to use the services without changing the condition of the card.
Let us revisit the question with the expiration date passed. At this point the value associated with the card has zero as the card has expired. The premise was that there is no visible indicator that the card is used. For example you purchased the card mint, but never used the services and the card expired. Your mint card may now be worth less. This can be seen in dealer price lists or special offers that sell expired cards with unscratched pins at reduced prices.
Another example: The card has an exposed pin and the seller says it is mint. You call the access number and are told the card has expired or the access number is no longer in service. There is no way to determine its mint state. Would you pay a premium over the used card for an unverifiable mint card? I think that anyone who did pay a premium would be spending money for no purpose.
Another example would be a cash card such as Visa Cash. You can purchase a reader to determine the value on the card. Once the card has expired you read the card and see that it has full value. Is it worth more than a card that reads zero, condition being equal? Hard to tell at this point in time and here is why. There are new terms associated with these cards. These terms are being used by the issuing banks and card manufacturers and are entering the collector's lexicon.
To be continued next week.
Our new TeleMoneycard conferences begin this month! They are scheduled for the first and third Thursday of every month, will begin at 9:30 p.m. (Eastern) and will run for about 30 minutes.
If we have at least ten members in attendance this Thursday (May 7), we'll hold a random drawing for one of the CompuServe "history" promos (only 10 produced) which includes the history of the CompuServe I phonecard printed on a presentation board and the following mounted material: a live phonecard in mint condition, one of the production proofs, an artist's design Iris (paper proof). Estimated value: $200 - $300.
(Ed. Note: Information on joining CompuServe is available at: http://www.cardmall.com/compuserve/ )
Many of you that have been on the net collecting phone cards for awhile know Kathleen Kirby Dobbels. She is one of the original collectors around, joined an MLM company called Destiny and produced her share of phone cards. She is also a good friend and just plain good people. Her husband Tom is a very nice guy and together they made a go of Destiny until the end. They are not quiters.
Her father, John Kirby has been fighting for his life for over a year, he is not a quiter either. He has been living without kidneys and the complications associated with the disease. He has come very close to death a number of times. Tom and Kathy produced a phone card to benefit The John Kirby Transplant Fund. The image was donated, Cable & Wireless offered the network services and Destiny printed the cards. It is a fantastic card that features the Hale-Bopp Comet in a photo by Vic Winter. It shows the comet exactly as it appeared in the sky above Missouri on March 15, 1997. There were 1,250 card produced and 100% of the proceedes go to the fund. There are 55 of the Hale-Bopp cards left. The price is a $10 donation, although $15 per card would be even better. Kathy and her family are paying for everything, insurance is not going to cover the enormous expenses that are incurred for this type of procedure.
Remember, 100% of all money collected goes to the John Kirby Transplant Fund and checks and money orders should be made out to the fund. Let's get behind one of our own and make sure we all have a couple of these fabulous cards in our collections. Kathy is sending the cards to me as she will be back and forth and does not want you to have to wait for the cards. E-mail me and reserve your cards. I am paying for all postage so order as many as you like. Please let me hear from all of you.
E-mail Lee Grove at lg7550@bellsouth.net for further information.
"The Postal Service has the unique opportunity and ability to provide additional services at a lower cost for our customers," said Allen Kane, Postal Service Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President. "We want to offer our customers a great phone card for a great price. We are able to do that with this new product."
In addition to the Cinco de Mayo FirstClass PhoneCard which went on sale in San Antonio, Texas April 16 to coincide with the issuance of the stamp, five other stamp designs will be featured on the new phone cards -- Bright Eyes, Irises, Space Discovery, Soaring Eagle, and Numismatics.
"This product allows the Postal Service to provide a new way to communicate," said Erich Spangenberg, CEO, SmarTalk TeleServices, Inc. "Simply put, these cards are a money saving long distance solution."
The phone cards can be purchased either in local post offices or by telephoning 1-800-297-POST.
FirstClass PhoneCards is a registered trademark for the U.S. Postal Service. SmarTalk is a registered service mark for SmarTalk TeleServices, Inc.
FirstClass PhoneCards Rates and Stamp Art
Bright Eyes - A 30-minute $10 card bearing the images of four playful pet stamps. The Bright Eyes stamps are scheduled for issuance later this year.
Irises - A 60-minute $20 card bearing the image of the Iris stamp. This stamp was issued in 1993 in a block of five Garden Flowers.
Cinco de Mayo - A 60-minute $20 card bearing the image of the Cinco de Mayo stamp, part of the Holiday Celebrations series, which was issued April 16.
Space Discovery - A 60-mi
nute $20 card bearing the image of one stamp in the panel of five that will issued on October 1 of this year.
Soaring Eagle - A 180-minute $50 card bearing the image of a 50-cent postal card that was issued in 1995, featuring an eagle flying over a mountain.
Numismatics - A 400-minute $100 card bearing the image of a 29-cent stamp that was issued in 1991 featuring coins and currency.
Running through June 30, 1998, the sweepstakes are open to all current Mileage Plus Members (Members must have an account prior to April 14, 1998 to be eligible to win). Entries are limited to 20 per customer.
"This program is a terrific way of thanking our loyal customers," says Tom Byrnes, vice president of marketing and sales for Carrier Services, Inc. "So many Mileage plus members have discovered the ease of use and convenience associated with using 1-800-PRE-PAID cards that we just couldn't resist making the deal even better."
The 100,000 mile prizes may be redeemed through United Airline Mileage Plus for a variety of benefits. No purchase is necessary to enter.
Call 1-800-PRE-PAID (1-800-773-7243) for rules and entry information.
MCLEAN, Va., March 11, 1998 - LCI International, Inc., one of the nation's fastest growing telecommunications companies, today announced the launch of two turnkey retail lines of prepaid calling cards, Say LCI(sm) and Global Say LCI(sm). The new lines are designed for ease of merchandising with a complete package of merchandising support materials included at no additional cost to retailers. The cards also feature low, competitive rates, LCI quality and simplicity and six-second rounding of call length. LCI is the only major provider of prepaid calling card service that calculates call length by charging in six-second increments, rather than rounding up to the next full minute, after the initial minute of each call.
"We wanted to offer our agents, distributors, wholesale and retail customers a line of prepaid cards that has great appeal to consumers and that is easy to sell," said Mark Welton, vice president of enhanced services at LCI. "Say LCI(sm) and Global Say LCI(sm) are complete lines that accommodate a variety of retailers' needs, while the low flat rates and six-second rounding provide tremendous value to consumers."
According to Welton, Say LCI(sm) is a unit-based product with low, 24-hour flat rates, that is available in 40 and 80 minute/unit denominations. One unit equals one minute for domestic calls, although Say LCI(sm) cards can also be used for international calls. Further, there is no surcharge for either domestic or international calls made with Say LCI(sm), and the cards are rechargeable.
Welton also said that Global Say LCI(sm) is targeted at frequent international callers. It is available in 10-dollar and 20-dollar denominations and features extremely competitive rates to more than 230 countries from anywhere in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and Canada. The cards can also be used for domestic calling. A per-call charge applies to domestic and international calls.
Both lines of cards are available to retailers in a variety of retail package formats, Welton explained, including hangtag and cello-wrapped cash drawer packaging. Global Say LCI(sm) also comes in a plastic tear-off format. In addition, LCI says that it is offering retailers a complete range of point of sale marketing materials for the lines at no additional cost.
LCI PrePaid calling cards are carried over LCI's fiber-optic network. LCI has been a facilities-based provider of prepaid calling cards since 1993 and offers a full range of retail, private-label, promotional and special occasion prepaid product lines.
"Free 15-minute phonecard (retail value $3.99) with the purchase of any 3 Hallmark cards." Offer is good Sun., May 3, thru Sat., May 5, 1998.
Not sure if the free card is a Hallmark phonecard, a Sav-On phonecard, or some combination of the two.
From: Jim Silva
Printed on the front of the card is "TCBY Treats Cake Calling Card -- 10 Minutes Free Long Distance" as well as the Ameritech logo.
This information is from the Sunday coupons appearing in today's San Luis Obispo, CA newspaper.
From: Jim Silva
From: Seth Marlowe
Until Next Time,
Alan
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